Zac Randolph gets supposed four year $71 million deal with Grizzlies...darn it!

[dtrader]

The word out of Tn (where I live), is that the Grizzlies can't afford three max players. Most thought Zach would be the odd man out. There is no way they are getting rid of Gasol, which leads me to believe Rudy Gay could be had.

Marc Gasol is not a max contract player. He is a $9-11 million year guy.

Although Memphis could be forced to overpay and put him in the $12-13 million bracket given the free agent market this summer. Still considerably less than a max contract.

you are seriously under valuing the price of centers in the NBA.

$10 mil a year for Gasol seems about right to me, based on his production and his age.

He shouldn't command anywhere close to max money. Somewhere between Varejao's (5 yr, $43 mil) and Bogut's (4 yr, $50 mil) contracts.

Please put the following players in order of value:

Andrea Bargnani
Andris Biedrins
Tyson Chandler
Samuel Dalembert
Marc Gasol
Chris Kaman
Joakim Noah
Emeka Okafor

Bargnani is not a center. His own GM admitted as much in a press conference yesterday. So I'm throwing his name out.

I'd pay Gasol more than Biedrins, but that's it. On a per 38-minute basis, every other center on that list averaged more rebounds and blocks than Gasol last season (including Kaman).

He may be a better prospect/player than others on the list, but that doesn't mean Memphis should have to pay a huge contract in 2011 because a couple of dumb GMs did 4 or 5 years ago.

If someone offers him $12 mil a year, I'd hesitate to match.

BTW, what's Gasol's ceiling? Is he much more than a 12 pts, 7 rebs, 1.5 blocks a game guy?

It depends on the system he's in, but Marc could easily become a 20/10 guy (that also adds 1 stl, 1.5 blks).  Plus he has good percentages from the field AND the line.  Plus he is only 25, and doesnt have a history of injuries.  He's like a supersized carlos Boozer.

All the other players on that list are either older or injury prone, and have clear weaknesses in their game. (ie posting for bargnani, shooting for just about everyone else).  Gasol can post, AND has decent shooting ability.

[Fafnir]

Carlos Boozer at 26 was a better player than Gasol by a fairly hefty margin.

http://bkref.com/tiny/ATc3o

I don't even think their games are very similar at all.

[Kane3387]

I'm not a believer.  That'll be a regret contract sooner or later.

We all know his history of problems, but how on earth do you let a player of his caliber walk? Best post player in the NBA bar none. Very tricky decision for the Grizz, but I can certainly understand why they did it.

Who were they competing with to sign him? This is a horrible contract and is a prime example there will be a lockout! 18 mill per year for Z-Bo? He doesn't play Defense... He isn't a two way player and nor is he the best player on a championship team. You don't give a guy that kind of money unless he is going to make you a contender. Stupid!!! This is almost as bad as the Joe Johnson contract.

[Moranis]

Carlos Boozer at 26 was a better player than Gasol by a fairly hefty margin.

http://bkref.com/tiny/ATc3o

I don't even think their games are very similar at all.

Of course Boozer's third year and Gasol's third year are a lot closer.  Boozer was still a better player, but not by nearly as much.  And Boozer is a max contract player, no one is claiming Gasol is a 15 million a year player, but 12 million is certainly on par for a center of Gasol's age and ability.